700 Wins Back on the Table for Martin Brodeur Now That Hockey Is Back

The most notable of those is easily the career wins record, previously held by Patrick Roy, which Brodeur broke back in 2009.

Despite a phenomenal career, Brodeur has also played through a period of tumultuous labor situations between the NHL and NHLPA, culminating in three lockouts, the most recent of which ended early Sunday morning when both sides reached a tentative deal.

While the league has not yet released details on whether they would be playing a 48 or 50-game schedule, the first puck drop will likely not take place until around January 15 or 16.

Brodeur, who played and won his first NHL game in 1992, has racked up 656 career wins, giving rise to speculation that he could reach the 700 wins mark, a number that was previously thought to be untouchable.

That speculation was dashed when the NHL locked out its players back in September, and brought about the fear that the 40-year-old Brodeur may never play again, despite signing a two-year contract last summer.

Now that a hockey season will be played this winter, the number 700 is back on the table.

Brodeur needs just 44 wins to reach 700. He has averaged 41 wins in seasons where he was the main starting goalie, but since the Devils brought Johan Hedberg in to serve as backup in 2010, Brodeur has played less than 60 games and won 23 and 31 games over those two games.

Assuming he plays 35 of the 48 games this season, it is fair to assume a 20-win season for Brodeur, leaving just 24 wins for the full season to be played in 2013-14.

When Terry Sawchuk passed away in 1970, his 447 wins were a mark that many thought would never be reached. Jacques Plante, who played until 1973, came up just 10 wins shy. Tony Esposito missed out by 24.

If Brodeur does get to 700, he would eclipse Sawchuk’s record by 253 wins, one more win than Buffalo’s Ryan Miller and defending Vezina Trophy winner Henrik Lundqvist, both with 252, have won in their careers.

And in case you’re wondering who is second on the active goalie wins list, it’s Roberto Luongo, with 339.